Mississippi high school graduation rate rises for third year

(AP) — A larger share of Mississippi high schoolers than ever before is graduating, thanks in part to stronger efforts to keep kids in school but also to changed graduation requirements.

Wright highlighted the improving graduation rate among special education students, which rose to 34 percent, although it still remains far below the overall statewide rate.

In 2014, the state Board of Education created alternate paths to graduation including achieving certain scores on the ACT college test, Advanced Placement exams or the test the U.S. military gives to recruits.

In 2015, under legislative pressure, the state changed the rules again, so that, although students still must take the four subject-area tests, they can fail them and still graduate if they get high enough grades on their classwork.